Artificial nail with upstanding feature and method of use

ABSTRACT

The artificial nail includes a thin member having a distal end portion, an opposite free end portion, and a concave lower surface and a convex upper surface extending between the end portions, at least a portion of the concave lower surface having a size and a curvature configured for placement in overlaying substantially conforming relation to at least a portion of a natural fingernail or toenail, the upper surface including an upstanding feature separating and delineating regions abutting opposite sides of the feature. In a method of use, a first liquid hardenable coating material is applied to one of the regions, and a second liquid hardenable material to a second of the regions, such that the first material and the second material are separated and delineated by the upstanding feature. The nail is then abraded to a desired appearance such as of a French manicure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to an artificial nail attachable to the fingernail or toenail region of a finger or toe to cover or form an extension of the nail, and more particularly, which includes an upstanding feature that can be used to separate or delineate coatings applied to different regions of the nail and to form a visible smile line to create a look of a French manicure, and which feature can stiffen or strengthen the structure of the artificial nail.

BACKGROUND ART

It has been known in the art of adorning the hands and feet to provide ornamental fingernail and toenail accessories made from thin, molded plastic members manufactured generally in the shape of a fingernail or toenail. Here, it should be noted and understood that as used herein, the terms “artificial fingernail”, “artificial toenail”, and “nail tip” and “fingernail tip” are considered as interchangeable terms for the purposes of the present invention, and that the present invention has equal utility and applicability for use with both fingernails and toenails, and therefore is not to be interpreted as being limited to one or the other. Fingernail tips, which are formed to provide an extension of the wearer's fingernails, are especially attractive accessories. For example, French tip fingernail accessories extend the end of the natural nail and provide a color variation between the natural nail and the tip. French tips create an attractive image by exaggerating the change of color or hue as the nail extends beyond the tip of the finger.

Commonly, an artificial nail or nail tip will consist of a plastics resin member molded to generally have the shape and appearance of a natural nail. A distal portion of the nail or nail tip will be adhered to or over a portion of the natural nail, typically using a rapid set adhesive, such as a cyano acrylate. Also typically, the thickness of the nail tip will result in a step between the upper nail tip surface and the natural nail surface. This can be sanded or filed smooth, or, a coating can be applied and sanded or filed as required to eliminate the step. Common coatings include, but are not limited to, paints, and blends of acrylic powder and acrylic liquid, and can be applied, e.g., brushed, over the entire combined surfaces of the nail tip and natural nail to the cuticle line, or just portions of the nail surface, and sanded, polished, etc., to achieve a smooth finish.

To create a French manicure look, the tip area of the nail surface will be given a white appearance. This can be done simply with paint and a mask, but this approach lacks durability. The French manicure look can also be created with acrylics, but requires establishing the smile line between the white tip and the other regions of the nail surface. A smile line herein is defined as analogous to, or a reproduction of, the curved line that extends across the natural nail delineating that portion of the nail still attached to the natural nail bed, and that portion that extends beyond the natural nail bed and is normally white or whitish in color. A common manner of artificial smile line creation include applying one color of coating material to the nail surface, then manually cutting the smile line using a tool such as a knife or the like, and removing the coating material on one side of the line. A coating material of a different color can then be applied to the area from which the material was removed, up to and using the smile line as a border. Creating an attractive smile line in this manner is time consuming and requires some skill, particularly to achieve a smooth line and uniform appearance between adjacent fingers or toes. Additionally, it is sometimes desired to create a smile line of a contrasting color between the different colored regions of the nail, which requires additional time.

In the commercial nail salon environment, increasing productivity and profitability are important goals. One manner of achieving these goals is to decrease the time that it takes a nail technician to complete a particular nail task. Presently, creating a French manicure look using acrylics is time consuming, on the order of 45 minutes to one hour for a set of ten, making this one of the more time consuming tasks in a salon. Therefore, providing a manner of reducing the time required for creating a French manicure set is a desirable objective.

Sometimes, a customer will desire a French tip look be added to her natural nails, without an artificial tip or nail. When using acrylics to produce this look, a smile line must also be created, using basically the same procedure set forth above, namely, one color of the artificial coating is applied; the smile line is cut into it; and the second color is applied. Again, this is a time consuming procedure that reduces salon productivity and requires advanced skill.

What is sought therefore, is an artificial nail and manner of use, particularly for creating a French manicure look, which is less time consuming, and overcomes one or more of the problems and shortcomings set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

What is provided is an artificial nail and manner of use, particularly for creating a French manicure look, which is less time consuming, and overcomes one or more of the problems and shortcomings set forth above.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the artificial nail includes a thin member having a distal end portion, an opposite free end portion, and a concave lower surface and a convex upper surface extending between the end portions. At least a portion of the concave lower surface has a size and a curvature configured for placement in overlaying and substantially conforming relation to at least a portion of the natural fingernail or the natural toenail, and the upper surface includes an upstanding feature configured for separating a coating applied to region of the upper surface abutting one side of the feature, from a coating applied in abutting relation to an opposite side of the feature. Coatings that can be applied can include, but are not limited to, hardenable coating materials such as a mixture or blend of an acrylic liquid and powder.

According to a preferred step of a method of the invention, the artificial nail member is affixed to a natural fingernail or toenail, e.g., in the well known manner using a common cyano acrylate adhesive, and a first liquid hardenable coating material is applied to a first region in abutment with one side of the feature, and a second liquid hardenable material is applied to a second region in abutment with an opposite side of the feature, such that the feature serves as a barrier or wall separating and delineating the first material and the second material. According to another step, the coating materials are allowed to harden, and are abraded into a fanciful nail shape. The two coated regions of the resulting artificial nail will be separated by the upstanding feature, the upper extent of which preferably will be level with the upper surfaces of the coated regions, providing a smooth appearance, but clear and distinguishing delineation between the two regions.

According to additional preferred aspects of the invention, the first hardenable material can be a first color, and the second hardenable material a second color which contrasts with the first color.

According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the upstanding feature can have a curve shape, particularly when viewed from above, and more particularly, a three dimensional curve shape so as to appear naturally curved when viewed from the side or obliquely, forming a smile line between the first material and the second material to impart a look of a French manicure to the nail. In one embodiment, the feature has a curved shape that extends along a distal edge of the artificial nail member, delineating a concave region and a convex region, in the manner of a natural smile line. The upstanding feature can be clear or colorless, of the same color as one or the applied coatings, of a different color, to provide a desired contrasting look.

As another preferred aspect of the invention, the upstanding feature has a maximum height of from between about 1 millimeter to about 2 millimeters above the upper surface of the member. The feature can also be configured to stiffen and/or strengthen the artificial nail. For this purpose, and to facilitate manufacture and utility for separating and delineating the coatings, the raised feature can be molded in place on the artificial nail member, or formed thereon by bending, folding or other mechanical manipulation, forming a stiffening and strengthening rib and barrier to coatings flow. As another alternative, the upstanding feature can be attached to the nail member in a suitable manner, such as using adhesives, plastics welding such as ultrasonic welding, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an artificial nail according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top view of the nail of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view through the nail of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the nail;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the nail taken a long line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the nail;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a finger and an artificial nail of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the finger showing application of an adhesive to attaching the artificial nail of FIG. 7 to the natural nail;

FIG. 9 is another side view of the finger showing the artificial nail attached and application of a coating thereto;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the finger, illustrating a nail file abrading the artificial nail to a desired shape;

FIG. 11 is a top view of a finger showing a French manicure including a smile line created by the invention;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the finger and French manicure;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a hand having artificial nails applied and finished in a French manicure according to the invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a hand having strengthened artificial nails according to the invention;

FIG. 15 shows a step for adding and upstanding feature to an artificial nail according to the invention;

FIG. 16 shows the artificial nail of FIG. 15 with the raised feature attached according to the invention; and

FIG. 17 shows an alternative embodiment of a French manicure including a contrasting smile line according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, according to the invention, several embodiments of an artificial nail and steps of a method for using the same, will be shown and discussed.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, an artificial nail 20 including an upstanding feature 22 constructed and usable according to the present invention, is shown. Artificial nail 20 is an elongate, relatively thin member, having a typical thickness of between about 0.1 and 0.5 millimeter, preferably of an injected molded plastics material, such as, but not limited to, cellulose acetate and other cellulosic esters, nylon, clear acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer, acrylic resin, and polystyrene, so as to have a clear, opaque, or semi-opaque appearance. Nail 20 includes a distal end portion 24, a free end portion 26 opposite end portion 24, and opposite side edges 28 and 30 extending between end portions 24 and 26. End portions 24 and 26, and side edges 28 and 30, bound and define a lower surface 32 and an opposite upper surface 34. Lower surface 32 has an elongate concave shape, configured to correspond in curvature and size to the outer or upper surface of all or a portion of a natural fingernail or toenail, such that at least a portion thereof adjacent to distal end portion 24 is attachable in overlaying, substantially conforming relation thereto in the well known manner, such as using a well known cyano acrylate adhesive. Upper surface 34 has an elongate convex shape, configured to have the general appearance and contour of at least the tip of a natural nail to which artificial nail 20 will be attached.

Upstanding feature 22 of artificial nail 20 here extends upwardly from a distal edge 36 of nail 20, and has a three dimensional curve shape, which generally follows the convexity of upper surface 34 between side edges 28 and 30. Feature 22 has a concave side 38 bounding and partially defining a concavity 40, and an opposite convex side 42, bounding upper surface 34. Here, upstanding feature 22 is preferably integrally formed with nail 20, e.g., by injection molding, or by bending or folding up a portion of the nail to cause plastic deformation thereof, and in the FIGURES feature 22 is intended to depict each of these constructions. The curve shape of feature 22 here is intended to mimic at least generally the shape of the smile line of a natural nail natural nail, so as to have utility for producing a French manicure look, of which, a smile line is an important defining characteristic, but it should also be understood that feature 22 can have a wide variety of alternative shapes, such as, but not limited to, a common geometric shape such as a circle, star, diamond, or teardrop; or a fanciful shape such as a letter, musical note, flag, or the like, and therefore the invention is not to be limited to the shape shown. it should be noted also that feature 22, although here depicted coincident with distal edge 36 of nail 20, could alternatively be located at any desired location on or adjacent to surface 34, as desired or required for a particular application.

Referring also to FIG. 6, artificial nail 20 is shown including an alternative upstanding feature 44, which has a tapered sectional shape wherein sides 38 and 42 extend upwardly and convergingly, defining and separating a concavity from the upper surface of nail 20. Feature 44 can be formed in any suitable manner, such as described herein with regard to feature 22, and demonstrates another variant within the scope of the invention.

Referring also to FIGS. 7 and 8, as noted above, lower surface 32 of nail 20 (FIGS. 3 and 5) has a concave shape, configured to correspond in curvature and size to the outer or upper surface of all or a portion of a natural fingernail or toenail, as denoted by representative surface 46 of nail 48. Here, nail 20 is shown with distal end 24 being attached in overlaying, substantially conforming relation to surface 46 in the well known manner, with a drop of a well known, fast drying cyano acrylate adhesive 50 dispensed from a dispenser 52 onto a tip of nail surface 46. Here, nail 20 is being attached in overlaying relation to the tip only of surface 46, as a step in creating a French manicure look, as will be explained, but it should be understood that an artificial nail according to the invention could be attached to all or a part of a natural nail surface, and using a variety of means within the scope of the invention.

Referring also to FIG. 9, once nail 20 is attached to the tip of surface 46 of the natural nail, a hardenable coating, for example, but not limited to, a mixture 54 of a liquid acrylic 56 and a first acrylic powder 58, is applied onto and in covering relation to a first region 60, which here, is surface 46 of the natural nail, so as to abut one side of upstanding feature 22, which, here will comprise the concave side 38 thereof. A hardenable mixture of liquid acrylic 54 and a second acrylic powder 62 will then be applied onto and in covering relation to a second region 64, which here, is upper surface 34 of nail 20, so as to abut the opposite side of feature 22, which will be convex side 42. The coatings can be smoothly and evenly applied in any convenient manner, such as with a brush 66, which can be moved over the surfaces being coated, as denoted by the arrows A in FIG. 9. Region 60 will be bounded by the cuticle line 68 extending about the natural fingernail, and feature 22. The coatings can be of any desired thickness, feature 22 having a height, denoted by arrow H in FIG. 8, preferably of about 1 to about 2 millimeters, which will equal or exceed the anticipated thickness of coatings to be applied, such that separation and delineation between different colored regions, e.g., regions 60 and 64, are achieved to enable creating the desired French manicure look. As should now be apparent, feature 22 provides a guide and a barrier for application of the coatings applied to the respective regions 60, 64 of the nail surface, which here comprises, but is not limited to, that of the natural nail and the artificial nail, thus eliminating any need for establishing a smile line in any of the prior known manners, such as by cutting, masking or the like.

Referring also to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, artificial nail 20 has the appearance of a French manicured nail 70, with a distinct smile line 72 formed by feature 22. The manicured nail 70 can now be shaped and polished in any convenient conventional manner, for instance, using a conventional nail file 74 (FIG. 10).

Referring also to FIG. 13, a set of French manicured artificial nails 70 created using artificial nails 20 of the invention, to create uniform and consistent smile lines 72, is shown.

Referring also to FIG. 14, a set of artificial nails 20 are shown with a monochromatic finish (a single color) such that upstanding features 22 thereof are concealed. This illustrates the advantage of upstanding features 22 for strengthening and stiffening the nails 20, and features 22 can be configured so as to be sufficiently opaque, clear, or the same color as the applied coating, to facilitate concealment thereof if desired. The coating can also be applied to a thickness exceeding height H (FIG. 8) to conceal features 22, if desired.

Referring also to FIGS. 15 and 16, a variant of the present invention is shown wherein upstanding feature 22 is affixed to upper surface 34 of artificial nail 20, in a suitable manner, such as using an adhesive, e.g., cyano acrylate, etc., ultrasonic welding, fusion, or the like, as generally denoted by arrow W. Nail 20 can be configured to have a straight distal edge 36, or a concave one, as illustrated.

Referring also to FIG. 17, nail 20 is shown having a smile line 72 comprising an upstanding feature 22 as described above, but of a color that contrasts with regions 60 and 64 for a modified French manicure look. Here, during the finishing phase, the coatings and feature 22 can be filed and polished, such that smile line 72 can have a width of a desired extent, for a desired aesthetic effect.

In light of all the foregoing, it should thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that there has been shown and described a novel artificial nail and method. However, it should also be apparent that, within the principles and scope of the invention, many changes are possible and contemplated, including in the details, materials, and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention. Thus, while the foregoing description and discussion addresses certain preferred embodiments or elements of the invention, it should further be understood that concepts of the invention, as based upon the foregoing description and discussion, may be readily incorporated into or employed in other embodiments and constructions without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly as well as in the specific form shown, and all changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow. 

1. An artificial nail, comprising: a thin member having a distal end portion, an opposite free end portion, and upper and lower surfaces extending therebetween, the member having a curved sectional shape such that the lower surface is concave, and the upper surface is convex, the upper surface being configured and adapted for receiving a liquid decorative or protective coating applied in covering relation thereto, and at least a portion of the lower surface adjacent to the distal end portion being configured and adapted for placement in overlaying substantially conforming relation to at least a portion of a natural fingernail or toenail; and an upstanding feature bounding at least a portion of the upper surface and configured for separating a coating applied to the portion of the upper surface in abutting relation to one side of the feature, from a coating applied in abutting relation to an opposite side of the feature.
 2. The artificial nail of claim 1, wherein the upstanding feature extends across a sideward extent of the upper surface.
 3. The artificial nail of claim 2, wherein the upstanding feature has a curve shape.
 4. The artificial nail of claim 3, wherein the curve shape is three dimensional.
 5. The artificial nail of claim 1, wherein the upstanding feature comprises a bend in the member.
 6. The artificial nail of claim 1, wherein the member is of molded plastics material and the upstanding feature is molded on the member.
 7. The artificial nail of claim 1, wherein the upstanding feature is attached to the member.
 8. The artificial nail of claim 1, wherein the upstanding feature is configured to stiffen the member.
 9. An artificial nail, comprising: a thin member having a distal end portion, an opposite free end portion, and a concave lower surface and a convex upper surface extending between the end portions, at least a portion of the lower surface adjacent to the distal end portion being configured and adapted for adhering in overlaying substantially conforming relation to at least a portion of a natural fingernail or toenail; and the upper surface including an upstanding feature extending at least 1 millimeter thereabove and configured for delineating and separating coatings applied to regions in abutting relation to opposite sides of the feature.
 10. The artificial nail of claim 9, wherein the upstanding feature extends across a sideward extent of the upper surface.
 11. The artificial nail of claim 9, wherein the upstanding feature has a curve shape.
 12. The artificial nail of claim 11, wherein the curve shape is three dimensional.
 13. The artificial nail of claim 9, wherein the upstanding feature comprises a bend in the member.
 14. The artificial nail of claim 9, wherein the member comprises a molded plastics material and the upstanding feature is molded on the member.
 15. The artificial nail of claim 9, wherein the upstanding feature is attached to the member.
 16. The artificial nail of claim 9, wherein the upstanding feature is configured to stiffen the member.
 17. A method of applying an artificial nail to a natural fingernail or a natural toenail, comprising steps of: providing an artificial nail comprising a thin member having a distal end portion, an opposite free end portion, and a concave lower surface and a convex upper surface extending between the end portions, at least a portion of the concave lower surface having a size and a curvature configured for adhesion of the lower surface in overlaying relation to at least a portion of the natural fingernail or the natural toenail, the upper surface including an upstanding feature configured and positioned for separating and delineating a first region abutting one side of the feature from a second region abutting an opposite side of the feature; applying a first liquid hardenable coating material to the first region, and a second liquid hardenable material to the second region, such that the first material and the second material are separated and delineated by the upstanding feature.
 18. The method of claim 17, comprising additional steps of: allowing the first material and the second material to harden; and abrading the hardened first material, the hardened second material, and the upstanding feature into a shape resembling a natural nail.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first hardenable material comprises a first color, and the second hardenable material comprises a second color which contrasts with the first color.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the upstanding feature has curve shape and forms a smile line between the first material and the second material to impart a look of a French manicure to the nail. 